Romans 9 17

Romans 9:17 kjv

For the scripture saith unto Pharaoh, Even for this same purpose have I raised thee up, that I might shew my power in thee, and that my name might be declared throughout all the earth.

Romans 9:17 nkjv

For the Scripture says to the Pharaoh, "For this very purpose I have raised you up, that I may show My power in you, and that My name may be declared in all the earth."

Romans 9:17 niv

For Scripture says to Pharaoh: "I raised you up for this very purpose, that I might display my power in you and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth."

Romans 9:17 esv

For the Scripture says to Pharaoh, "For this very purpose I have raised you up, that I might show my power in you, and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth."

Romans 9:17 nlt

For the Scriptures say that God told Pharaoh, "I have appointed you for the very purpose of displaying my power in you and to spread my fame throughout the earth."

Romans 9 verses

Romans 9 17 Meaning

God exercises His sovereign right to show mercy. His will and purpose in election are not based on human actions or desires but on His unfettered choice, demonstrating His power and glorifying His name through every individual, including Pharaoh.

Romans 9 17 Context

Romans chapter 9 addresses the perplexing issue of God's sovereign election and Israel's rejection of the Messiah. Paul grapples with the apparent contradiction between God's promises to Israel and their current spiritual state. He expounds on the nature of God’s choice, illustrating that it is not based on human merit or lineage, but on His divine prerogative. This verse specifically explains God’s right to choose whom He will have mercy upon, using Pharaoh as an example of God hardening a heart, thus displaying His power. The broader context involves Paul’s deep sorrow for his kinsmen according to the flesh and his defense of God’s righteousness in His dealings with both Jews and Gentiles, affirming that salvation is by grace through faith in Christ, not by works or ethnic identity.

Romans 9 17 Word Analysis

• "For" (γαρ - gar): A conjunction introducing a reason or explanation for the preceding statement.
• "He hath said" (εἶπεν - eipen): Aorist indicative active, "he said," referring to a specific statement God made.
• "unto Moses" (Μωυσει - Mōusei): Dative singular of Μωυσης (Mōusēs), Moses.
• "I will have mercy on whom" (ελεησω ον - eleēsō hon): Future indicative active, "I will have mercy, whom." Demonstrates God’s future, active, and personal bestowal of mercy.
• "I will have mercy" (ελεω - eleō): Future indicative active, "I will show mercy." Emphasizes God’s future action of showing compassion.
• "And will show mercy upon whom" (και ον θελω οικτειρω - kai hon thelō oikteirō): "And upon whom I will, I have compassion." "Oikterō" carries a sense of deeper compassion or pity than "eleō."
• "I will have mercy" (ελεησω - eleēsō): Future indicative active, the same verb as earlier in the verse.
• "And harden whom" (και ον θελω σκληρυνω - kai hon thelō sklērynein): "And whom I will, I harden." The verb "sklērynein" (to make hard) signifies making something stubborn, resistant, or unyielding.

Word Groups/Phrases:

• "I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy": This repetition stresses God's absolute authority in dispensing His mercy. It's not reactive or conditional on human worthiness but originates from His own will. This reflects the concept of God’s sovereign election.
• "and will show mercy upon whom I will show mercy": An additional clause reinforcing the idea of God's prerogative in mercy, potentially distinguishing nuances of compassion or the recipients thereof. The emphasis is consistently on God's autonomous choice.
• "and harden whom I will harden": Directly pairs the act of hardening with the act of mercy. It posits that just as God has the absolute right to show mercy, He also has the absolute right to harden, demonstrating His ultimate control over individuals and nations for His purposes. This connects directly to the example of Pharaoh.

Romans 9 17 Bonus Section

The quoted passage from Exodus 33:19 is not a generic statement about mercy but is made in the context of God’s covenant relationship and His specific dealings with Israel after their sin with the golden calf. God’s declaration to Moses highlights that His choosing of Israel and His continuation of covenant blessings were based on His grace, not their merit. Paul’s application extends this principle to the broader scheme of salvation, emphasizing that even within God’s plan of salvation for humanity, His choice of individuals to receive mercy or experience hardening (for His purposes) is His sovereign prerogative. This passage is often debated in discussions of free will versus predestination, with the understanding being that human will is subordinate to God's divine will in the economy of salvation and His sovereign rule over all creation. The specific choice of words in the Greek emphasizes God's active participation and decision-making in both showing mercy and hardening.

Romans 9 17 Commentary

This verse is a cornerstone for understanding God's sovereignty in salvation. Paul quotes directly from Exodus 33:19, where God reveals Himself to Moses. The divine declaration establishes that God’s mercy is not earned or deserved but is freely given according to His own good pleasure. This truth underscores that salvation is a gift of grace. Furthermore, it introduces the parallel concept of God’s sovereignty in hardening. This is not a passive allowance of sin but an active, permissive, or decretive will by which God shapes events and hearts to fulfill His perfect plan. Pharaoh’s stubbornness is presented as a specific instance of God’s action, enabling the display of His power and the amplification of His signs in Egypt. The implication is that all human efforts, even strenuous ones ("him that runneth"), are secondary to God's ultimate disposition of mercy and judgment. God’s purpose in election and in the sovereign governance of humanity serves His ultimate glory.